Ego - it needs to be held not healed

Ego is the single reason why athletes cannot perform at the level they are capable of - this is because its underlying mechanism is rooted on its desire to be right.

#1 The premise

As human beings, we all have an ego. It’s what makes us unique, it’s what drives us to succeed, and it’s what helps us stand out from the crowd. Before diving into how to navigate ego in relation to sport and performance, it’s important to understand that the ego is defined as the part of the mind that is responsible for our sense of self-esteem and self-importance. Its a part of us that wants to be right about ourselves, the world around us & show up with an energy of prove & defend when anything comes in the way of challenging its reality of the world.

#2 Ego within the sporting context

When it comes to sport and performance though, the ego can both help and hinder us as it can be broken down into two categories: the healthy ego and the unhealthy ego.

The healthy ego is what most athletes and performers strive for. It involves having confidence in your abilities, being able to take constructive criticism, and having an attitude towards your sport or performance that is anchored on a sense of security. A healthy ego helps athletes and performers to stay motivated, push themselves to improve, and stay focused on their goals.

On the other hand, the unhealthy ego can be detrimental to an athlete or performer’s success. When an athlete or performer has an unhealthy ego, they may become overly confident, refuse to take constructive criticism, and struggle to work with their teammates or fellow performers. An unhealthy ego can lead to arrogance and a lack of respect for the sport or performance, ultimately hindering success and growth. Its frequency is rooted in being closed off & being selfish.

#3 Navigating the ego

So, how can athletes and performers navigate the ego to ensure they have a healthy mindset? Here are a few ways:

1. Stay Humble

One of the most crucial aspects of navigating the ego is staying humble. This involves recognizing that you’re not perfect, that there is always room for improvement, and that every athlete or performer has their own strengths and weaknesses. Staying humble helps to keep the focus on personal growth and development rather than outward validation or recognition. Remember that every experience, whether it be a win or a loss, is an opportunity to learn and improve. The ego functions out of seeking attention, the only effective way to work through it is holding it.

2. Take Constructive Criticism

Taking constructive criticism can be a challenge for many athletes and performers, as it can be difficult to hear someone point out our flaws or areas for improvement. However, taking constructive criticism is an essential component of a healthy ego. Being open to feedback helps to identify areas of weakness, which can be addressed and improved upon. It’s important to note, though, that not all feedback will be helpful or valuable. Learning to differentiate between constructive criticism and negativity or hate is integral to improving yourself, while not negatively affecting your ego.

3. Learn from Failure

Every athlete or performer will face failure at some point in their career. It’s how we handle failure and what we learn from it that ultimately determines our success. When we fail, it’s essential to reflect on what went wrong and to identify areas for improvement. This requires a healthy ego, one that can take a step back and acknowledge that we are not perfect. When we learn from failure, we’re better equipped to handle similar situations in the future, and we’re better prepared to succeed.

4. Support Your Teammates or Fellow Performers

Being able to work with others is a critical part of navigating the ego. When we’re part of a team or group of performers, we must be able to set aside our individual desires and work towards a common goal. Supporting our teammates or fellow performers, encouraging positive and constructive feedback and working together helps to create a healthy environment for everyone.

5. Focus on Personal Goals

Finally, it’s important to focus on personal goals rather than outward validation or recognition. It can be tempting to get caught up in the hype of winning or being recognized for our accomplishments, but focusing solely on those outcomes can lead to an unhealthy ego. Instead, set personal goals that are achievable and meaningful to you, and work towards them with focus, discipline, permission and determination. When we focus on personal growth, we’re able to improve ourselves, both as an athlete or performer, and as a person.

#5 Conclusion

Ego plays a critical role in sport and performance. It can either provide the motivation to succeed or lead to arrogance and a lack of respect for the sport or performance. Navigating the ego involves staying humble, taking constructive criticism, learning from failure, supporting teammates or fellow performers, and focusing on personal goals. Whether you’re an athlete, performer or just someone looking to improve yourself, know that a healthy ego is integral to success and growth, and it’s something you can work towards over time.

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